And... here are some recent reads and listens that I highly recommend:

Kevin Carson's Organization Theory

Most left leaning people I've met, progressives, democrats, and socialists, tend to have an incomplete picture of what the oppressive forces are and an ill-informed strategy of where to aim. I highly recommend this book for anyone who identifies as on the left and has not read much anarchist theory. This book is meticulously researched, and points out the control of the state by corporate interests, via the evolution of things like the managerial class, accounting practices, and many nauseating self-reinforcing loops of systems growth. At times it's difficult to have one's eyelids peeled back so far - in particular the sections about why public school is the way it is made me sad. But take it slow, it's well worth the exposure. This will open your mind to what is really going on and the many wonderful decentralized approaches out there to build strong, healthier alternatives.

I listened to an episode of Dan Carlin's Hardcore History on what he calls the Celtic holocaust, where Julius Caesar led the colonization and subjugation of the peoples of ancient Gaul. The premise is that this is the only time in history that native peoples were evenly matched in technology/arms and had enough numbers to have had a chance at winning against an empire. I've never been particularly into reading about history, unless it's counternarratives or art history, but he’s such a compelling storyteller and narrator! This episode sparked my interest in history and an understanding of why people enjoy reading about battles and things. Related:

If I convinced you to listen to any podcast this year, it would be How to Survive the End of the World, with the Brown sisters - Adrienne Maree Brown (author of Emergent Strategy) and Autumn Brown. They’re community organizers, writers and incredible women. Their podcast is a guiding light and integrated creative perspective.https://www.endoftheworldshow.org/

Oh yes, the other reference in this blog post's title is because of Regeneration International, which the organization I direct is a member of. They do incredible work networking together players in the regenerative agriculture space to share knowledge and resources. Climate change is frightening and, there are so many wonderful people who know of solutions to it. We're coming together in more coordinated ways quickly. The problem is intimately connected with the economic and social topics referenced in this blog post.

Happy reading and listening! I mean, well, you can cry on my shoulder anytime, and hold my hand as you do something to contribute solutions in your communities.